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Global Health Watch: Foreign Affairs Bill Passes, Aid Cuts Projected to Cause Millions of Deaths by 2030, UN & WHO in Financial Crisis

This week a $50 billion US foreign affairs spending bill was signed into law, averting severe proposed cuts; a new modelling analysis projects millions of additional preventable deaths by 2030 if global aid cuts continue; and the financial crises facing the UN and WHO continue. We are also following plans to transition or close the Oregon National Primate Research Center, a leading research institution.

Impact of US Withdrawal from WHO, New Data on PrEP, Cure Academy Applications Open

New this week: resources on the impact of harmful US policies on the HIV response; updated infographics on the ups and downs in PrEP; and an opportunity to apply for the US HIV Cure Academy in North Carolina this April.

Dapivirine Ring: Giving Women Hope and Choice in HIV Prevention

Lenacapavir Regulatory Approval

Regulatory approvals, pending decisions, and appeals as of February 2026.

AVAC Infographics for CROI 2026

Going to CROI? AVAC’s up-to-date infographics — on the research & development pipeline, prevention options, and the impact of US funding cuts — are available here for use in conference presentations. We constantly update these graphics, so check back for updates. The latest version of the deck will be available here.

Source of Lenacapavir for PrEP Supply to Early Adopter Countries

The Global Fund, with support from CIFF, and PEPFAR have jointly committed to reaching up to two million people with injectable lenacapavir for PrEP over three years. Supply of LEN began arriving in countries in late 2025 with service delivery planned to start in early 2026.

EXPrESSIVE Phase III Program Countries of MK-8527

Seventeen countries are hosting sites for the Phase 3 efficacy trials of a monthly PrEP pill, MK-8527, being developed by Merck (also known as MSD outside of the US and Canada). Merck announced the launch of the Phase 3 trials at IAS 2025 in Kigali. MK-8527 was found to be safe and well-tolerated in Phase 2 clinical trials.

Lenacapavir Implementation Studies

Ongoing and planned implementation studies for the lenacapavir as of February 2026.

AVAC vs DoS Updated Page

Speeding Up Access to PrEP

The timeline for hitting key milestones in product introduction is moving faster for injectable LEN than for any previous PrEP products, starting from the announcement of efficacy results in Phase III trials. LEN’s accelerated timeline compared to oral PrEP, DVR, and CAB reflects a field-wide effort to learn lessons from previous PrEP rollout and not repeat the mistakes of the past.